Fighting Crimes Against Children

Deputy District Attorney David Foy, a specialist in the prosecution of felony crimes against children, was recently honored for his dedication and commitment as a Crimes Against Children prosecutor.

The honor was presented at the 19th annual, Shine-a-Light on Child Abuse Awards Breakfast, annual event hosted by Children’s Network normally held in early April to kick-off Child Abuse Prevention Awareness Month.

Foy is a 15-year veteran prosecutor assigned to the Desert-Mountain Division Family Violence Unit. “There is a heavy responsibility in handling such violent cases,” said Chief Deputy District Attorney Julie Peterson, who oversees the Desert-Mountain Division. “Mr. Foy accepts that responsibility and takes it very seriously. Every day, he consistently does what he can to hold people accountable for their horrific actions against children.” Following are some examples of his work.

Freeway Jumper Convicted of Child Molestation sentenced to 158 years and 8 months to life in state prison: A child molestation suspect who led police on a high-speed pursuit that ended with him trying to jump off a freeway overpass in Ontario was sentenced to 158 years and 8 months to life in state prison today, for molesting his three nieces. According to testimony during a seven-day jury trial, Daniel Cortez Bernal sexually assaulted one niece two to three times a week from 2002 to 2007, when she was ages 6 to 11, while she lived with him in Garden Grove. According to her testimony, the family moved to Hesperia in 2007, and the sexual assaults continued until she was 13, in 2009.

Former school employee sentenced for molesting three Apple Valley girls: Paul James Hultman was sentenced to 48 years to life for molesting three Apple Valley girls. “This defendant befriended these young girls and abused his position of trust repeatedly molesting them over a period of years,” Foy said.

Father and Girlfriend Found Guilty of Torture and Child Abuse: Erik Austin Flores and Mariah Rita Sugg were sentenced to 20 years to life in state prison for their roles in starving Flores’ children, ages four and five. “I am so grateful that the jury took care to find justice for these children,” Foy said. “These kids were starved to the point where witnesses described them as looking like concentration camp survivors and zombies.”